Hydro cap head

ABSTRACT

A hydro cap head is described as part of a piling installation system. The hydro cap head includes a securing structure configured to attach the hydro cap head to a piling having an internal cavity. A spout opening is configured to receive pressurized water and a spout extent is configured to direct the pressurized water through the hydro cap head and into the internal cavity of the piling. The hydro cap head also includes a hoist structure configured to support a combined weight of the hydro cap head and the piling.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND

Various embodiments relate generally to piling installation systems, methods, devices and computer programs and, more specifically, relate to piling drivers using pressurized water jets.

This section is intended to provide a background or context. The description may include concepts that may be pursued, but have not necessarily been previously conceived or pursued. Unless indicated otherwise, what is described in this section is not deemed prior art to the description and claims and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Pilings are used in various situations such as docks and housing. Typically, the pilings are inserted into an existing hole or driven into the ground. The devices used to create the holes or drive the piling into the ground are expensive and complicated to operate. These prior instillation methods were designed to work with wooden posts and may include a hose or tube down the length of the piling.

FIG. 7 illustrates one such prior installation method 700. The piling installation system 700 secures a piling 710 using an overhead chain 702 with various chain connections 704 to hold the piling 710. Each connection must be individually attached and properly located to balance the piling 710. This creates additional work and can slow down the installation process.

A high-pressure pump 720 is connected by hose 730 to piling hose 742 via a connection 740. The piling hose 742 extends down the length of the piling 710. Multiple piling straps 744 are used to secure the piling hose 742 to the side of the piling 710. Again, additional work must be used to place the straps 744 and then to remove them once the piling 710 is installed.

The piling hose 742 ends in a high pressure nozzle 746. Water forced from the pump 720 through the piling hose 742 exits the nozzle 746 as water jet 752. If the nozzle 746 is placed too high the water jet 752 can become too diffused and additional pressure must be used. If the nozzle 746 is placed too low, it can contact objects in the water and become clogged or damaged. Additionally, as the water jet 752 is located along the side of the piling 710 it can be difficult to properly lineup the piling in the hole created.

Alternatively, multiple installers may be used, each holding 2 to 3 separate water jetting tubes and fighting the piling into the ground. This creates an uneven hole in the ground and increase the chance of harm to the workers.

New pilings include composite/polymer marine pilings which are hollow. Unlike wood pilings, hollow polymer pilings are less rigid and therefore more difficult and time-intensive to set and keep straight when using traditional water jet systems to drive the pilings into the ground.

What is needed is an easy to use system to install hollow pilings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The below summary is merely representative and non-limiting.

The above problems are overcome, and other advantages may be realized, by the use of the embodiments.

In a first aspect, an embodiment provides a hydro cap head. The hydro cap head includes a securing structure configured to attach the hydro cap head to a piling having an internal cavity. A spout opening is configured to receive pressurized water and a spout extent is configured to direct the pressurized water through the hydro cap head and into the internal cavity of the piling. The hydro cap head also includes a hoist structure configured to support a combined weight of the hydro cap head and the piling.

In another aspect, an embodiment provides a piling installation system. The piling installation system includes a hydro cap head, a water pump and a water hose. The hydro cap head includes a securing structure configured to attach the hydro cap head to a piling having an internal cavity. A spout opening is configured to receive pressurized water and a spout extent is configured to direct the pressurized water through the hydro cap head and into the internal cavity of the piling. The hydro cap head also includes a hoist structure configured to support a combined weight of the hydro cap head and the piling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the described embodiments are more evident in the following description, when read in conjunction with the attached Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a hydro cap head in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a top-down view of the crane attachment section of the hydro cap head of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a top-down view of the hydro cap head of FIG. 1 with the crane attachment section removed.

FIG. 4 shows a piling suitable for being driven by the hydro cap head of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of the hydro cap head of FIG. 1 when placed on a piling.

FIG. 6 illustrates a piling driver system featuring the hydro cap head of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a prior art installation method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide a hydro cap tool used in driving composite/polymer marine pilings, such as for boat docks and homes, into the ground using a water jet. The tool goes over the top of polymer pilings, seals them off, and forces high pressure water down the middle of the pilings to drive them into the ground. This makes the pilings more rigid while driving them into the ground and reduces the pump pressure used. Further advantages include reducing manpower and speeding up the process which also reduces the cost of installation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a hydro cap head 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The hydro cap head 100 includes a crane attachment section 110, a spout head section 120 and a piling cover section 130.

The crane attachment section 110 features a hoist 112 connected to the cage top 114. The hoist 112 has an eyelet 116 which can be used to secure the hydro cap head 100 to a crane (as shown in FIG. 6 ). In alternative embodiments, other attaching means may be used, for example, the crane attachment section 110 may include a hook.

The spout head section 120 includes a spout opening 122 which can be attached to a pressurized water source. The spout opening 122 allows water to be forced down into the spout extent 124 and into a hollow piling. A rubber seal 126 seals the bottom of the spout head section 120.

The hydro cap head 100 can therefore be used for water jetting hollow pilings into various types of soil. By pumping pressurized water pressure through the piling, the piling is made more rigid during installation and the water leaving the bottom of the piling can be used to force soil away in order to create a hole for the piling. This process allows precise accuracy and is less labor intensive than the standard manual jet pipes.

The cage top 114 is connected to the cage frame 128 and provide support for the weight of the hydro cap head 100 and the weight of a connected piling to be lifted. As shown, a plurality of fins make up the cage frame 128. In an alternative embodiment, a solid wall can be used which adequately supports combined weight and provides access to the spout (e.g., walls may be present on two sides, etc.).

The piling cover section 130 provides a lower frame 136 which includes one or more side opening 132, each with a side hole 134. The piling cover section 130 is configured to be seated on top of a piling and seal the internal cavity of the piling. This piling cover section 130 serves as a securing structure to attach the hydro cap head 100 to a piling.

The holes 134 may be used to attach lag screws that are screwed into the composite piling, such as at a 45 degree angle as shown. The lag screws allow the piling to be secured the hydro cap head 100. This allows the hydro cap head 100 and piling to be lifted and placed at precise angle.

FIG. 2 shows a cut-away, top-down view of the crane attachment section 110 of the hydro cap head 100 of FIG. 1 . The eyelet 116 is shown in the hoist 112 as is centered above the cage top 114.

FIG. 3 shows a top-down view of the hydro cap head 100 of FIG. 1 with the crane attachment section 110 removed. The fins of the cage frame 128 are shown surrounding the spout opening 122. From the piling cover section 130, the side opening 132 with side hole 134 are visible at regular intervals around the circumference of the piling cover section 130. In an alternative embodiment, an different number of side opening 132 may be used, for example, three, five, eight, etc.

The rubber seal 126 surrounds the spout extent 124 are creates a water tight seal. The rubber seal 126 also creates a seal around the top of the piling (as shown in FIG. 5 ). By sealing the internal cavity of the piling, the hydro cap head can direct water down through the piling to the water bed with less pump power then used to set pilings with traditional methods. Accordingly, the machinery needed is less expensive and fewer parts are exposed to potential damage.

FIG. 4 shows a piling 400 suitable for being driven by the hydro cap head 100 of FIG. 1 . The piling 400 may be made of a plastic or composite material. The piling 400 features a piling outer surface 410 that is predominantly circular in shape. The internal structure of the piling 400 includes a piling internal frame 415 and a piling internal opening 420. In an alternative embodiment, the piling internal frame 415 may have a different geometry or simply be incorporated in the outer surface 410, such as by providing thicker walls while defining the piling internal opening 420. The piling internal opening 420 extends through the length of the piling 400.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of the hydro cap head 100 of FIG. 1 when placed on a piling 400. As shown, the spout extent 124 is located within the piling internal opening 420 of the piling 400. The rubber seal 126 prevents water from flowing upward over the top of the piling or through the hole around the spout extent 124.

As discussed above, the piling 400 may be secured by screws or other fasteners through the side hole 134 of side opening 132. The side hole 134 maybe be positioned so that if screws are used the resulting holes in the piling 400 are covered by caps or other structures once the piling 400 has been installed.

In alternative embodiments, the lower frame 136 may include other fastening features, such as gripping structures.

Additionally, the lower frame 136 may also include seals around the inner circumference of the lower frame 136 which seal against the outer surface 410. This seal may be in addition to the seal against the top of piling 400 or as an option when working with piling 400 without smoothed tops. Furthermore, the hydro cap head 100 may be configured in different sizes for different sized pilings (e.g., 8, 10, 12, and 16 inch).

FIG. 6 illustrates a piling driver system 600 featuring the hydro cap head 100 of FIG. 1 . Similarly to as shown in FIG. 4 , the hydro cap head 100 is secured to the piling 400. Additionally, the hydro cap head 100 is connected to a chain 610 by a crane hook 612 through hoist 112. This allows the combined hydro cap head 100 and piling 400 to be lifted, for example by a crane (not shown) connected to chain 610) and moved for installation.

A pump attachment 620 is connected to the spout opening 122 which secures a hose 630 from pump 640. Pump 640 may be used to force water through the hose 630 in to the spout opening 122 which directs the flow down through the spout extent 124 and into the piling internal opening 420 as internal water jet 650. The internal water jet 650 helps provide rigidity to the piling 400 and when it exits the piling 400 as external water flow 652 the water can serve to remove material beneath the piling so as to create a hole for the piling.

When using the hydro cap, the sand displacement under the piling stays completely removed which allows the piling to move precisely to the desired position.

The hydro cap piling driver system 600 forces a single stream of water through the center of the polymer piling which gives it a consistent flow of water, external water flow 652, which discharges evenly around the bottom of the piling 400. With the even discharge flow around the bottom removing soil materials, the piling can be installed quickly and evenly into the ground.

The hydro cap reduces the manpower used for installation which in turn increases overall profits. The hydro cap does the installation work faster and more efficiently than the standard hand held jet pipes. The hydro cap is also safer because it allows a crane to control the piling rather than requiring people to control it thereby reducing risk of injury and inaccuracies with the project.

An example embodiment includes a hydro cap head for installing pilings. The hydro cap head has a securing structure which attaches the hydro cap head to a piling with an internal cavity. A spout opening receives pressurized water and a spout extent directs the pressurized water through the hydro cap head and into the internal cavity of the piling. A hoist structure can support the combined weight of the hydro cap head and the piling.

In a further embodiment, the securing structure includes a circular collar configured to surround the piling when attached. The circular collar may include two or more side openings, each side opening defining a side hole. The side holes may be angled at 45° from an outer surface of the piling.

In another embodiment, the securing structure includes a seal to seal the internal cavity of the piling.

In a further embodiment, the hoist structure defines an eyelet opening.

The foregoing description has been directed to particular embodiments. However, other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Modifications to the above-described systems and methods may be made without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited by the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, various features of the described embodiments may be used without the corresponding use of other features. Thus, this description should be read as merely illustrative of various principles, and not in limitation of the invention.

Parts List 100 hydro cap head 110 crane attachment section 112 hoist 114 cage top 116 eyelet 120 spout head section 122 spout opening 124 spout extent 126 rubber seal 128 cage frame 130 piling cover section 132 side opening 134 side hole 136 lower frame 400 piling 410 piling outer surface 415 piling internal frame 420 piling internal opening 600 piling driver system 610 chain 612 crane hook 620 pump attachment 630 hose 640 pump 650 internal water jet 652 external water flow 700 piling installation system 702 chain 704 chain connections 710 piling 720 pump 730 hose 740 connection 742 piling hose 744 piling straps 746 high pressure nozzle 752 water jet 

1. A hydro cap head comprising: a securing structure configured to attach the hydro cap head to a piling having an internal cavity; a spout opening configured to receive pressurized water; a spout extent extending through the hydro cap head and configured to direct the pressurized water through the hydro cap head and into the internal cavity of the piling; and a hoist structure configured to support a combined weight of the hydro cap head and the piling.
 2. The hydro cap head of claim 1, wherein the securing structure comprises a circular collar configured to surround the piling when attached.
 3. The hydro cap head of claim 2, wherein the circular collar comprises a plurality of side opening, each side opening defining a side hole.
 4. The hydro cap head of claim 3, wherein each side hole is angled at 45° from an outer surface of the piling.
 5. The hydro cap head of claim 1, wherein the securing structure comprises a seal configured to seal the internal cavity of the piling.
 6. The hydro cap head of claim 1, wherein the hoist structure defines an eyelet opening.
 7. A piling installation system comprising: a hydro cap head comprising: a securing structure configured to attach the hydro cap head to a piling having an internal cavity; a spout opening configured to receive pressurized water; a spout extent extending through the hydro cap head and configured to direct the pressurized water through the hydro cap head and into the internal cavity of the piling; and a hoist structure configured to support a combined weight of the hydro cap head and the piling; a water pump configured to provide the pressurized water; and a water hose configured to fluidly connect the water pump to the spout opening.
 8. The piling installation system of claim 7, wherein the securing structure comprises a circular collar configured to surround the piling when attached.
 9. The piling installation system of claim 8, wherein the circular collar comprises a plurality of side opening, each side opening defining a side hole.
 10. The piling installation system of claim 9, wherein each side hole is angled at 45° from an outer surface of the piling.
 11. The piling installation system of claim 7, wherein the securing structure comprises a seal configured to seal the internal cavity of the piling.
 12. The piling installation system of claim 7, wherein the hoist structure defines an eyelet opening.
 13. The hydro cap head of claim 1, wherein the spout extent extends into the internal cavity when the securing structure attaches the hydro cap head to the piling.
 14. The hydro cap head of claim 13, wherein the securing structure comprises a seal configured to seal around the spout extent.
 15. The hydro cap head of claim 14, wherein the seal is further configured to seal the internal cavity of the piling.
 16. The hydro cap head of claim 5, wherein the seal is further configured to seal against a top of the piling.
 17. The hydro cap head of claim 5, wherein the seal is further configured to seal against a side of the piling.
 18. The hydro cap head of claim 5, wherein the spout extent comprises a length of pipe extending centrally through the hydro cap head.
 19. The piling installation system of claim 9, wherein the spout extent extends into the internal cavity when the securing structure attaches the hydro cap head to the piling.
 20. The piling installation system of claim 19, wherein the securing structure comprises a seal configured to seal around the spout extent. 